The Portland daily press., 1887-02-08
XLIXth CONGRESS-. SECOND SESSION.
SENATE.
Fe

WASHINGTON, Feb. Z.
The House presented Ia memorial of the
National Board of Trade in favor Of gen.
eral bankrupt law.
Mr.. Hawley moved to proceed to the con-
sideration of the bill to encourage the manu-
tacture of steel for modern army ordnance,
armor and other army purposes, and to pro-
vide heavy ordnance adapted to modern army
warfare. The motion was agreed to, 80 to
q, ana the bill was taken up for action.
Several amendments reported by the COM
mittee on coast defences were agreed to and
after explanation of some points of detail,
the bill Was passed without division.
The following is the text of the bill to en-
courage the manufacture of army ordnance I:
The Secretary of War may be, and hereby is au-
thorized to make contracts with responsible steel
manufacturers after suitable advertisements, TO
continue not less than thirty days, in newspapers
for supply of rough bored, rough turned and tenn
pered STEEL suitable for heavy ordnance,
adapted to modern warfare, and steel finished for
armor and other army purposes in quantity not
TO exceed 10,' 90 gross TONS in quality and dimen-
sions conforming to the specifications, subject to
inspections and tests at each stage of manufac-
ture, and including all parts of each caliber spec
fed. Provided that no money shall be expended
except for steel accepted and delivered that each
bidder shall contract TO erect iu the United States
suitable plant, including the best modern appli-
ances, capable Of making all the steel required,
and Of finishing i, in accordance with the con-
tract, and agree in of ordnance contract to
deliver yearly specified quantity of each calber,
the time of the delivery of smaller calibers to
commence at the expiration of not more than 18
months ana that of the largest caIbers at the ex-
piration of not more than three years from the
date OF the acceptance of the contract, and that
all forgings shall be manufactured in the United
States.
That the Secretary of War be and hereby is au-
thorized to erect at Wateryliet Arsenal, West
ance with the report of the Gun Foundry Board
of December 10th, 1884, for finishing and assem-
bling the guns adapted to modern warfare, up TO
o. 10 CT a ciV md fnr
the manufacture of gun carriages and ordnance
equipment for the army at cost not to exceed
$1,O00,000
That for the purposes of the foregoing sections
the sum of S8,O00,000 is hereby appropriated out
of any money in the treasury not otherwise appro-
prlated 10 pc available during six years from Jan
uary LIST, 1887.
That for the purpose of the construction of for
tifcations and other works of coast defence, such
as masonry and earth work, foundations for tur-
rets, easements and magazines, submarine mines
and galleries, exclusive of armOr. in accordance
with the recommendations of the board on fortif-
cations or other defences appointed by the Presi-
dent of the United States under provisions of an
act of Congress approved March 3D. 1885, So
100000, to be expended under direction OF the
Secretary of War, is hereby appropriated.
The Senate then took up and passed the
bill to encourage the manufacture of steel
for modern naval ordinance, armour shaft
ing, and other naval purposes, and to pro-
vide heavy ordinance adapted to modern
naval warfare. This bill is like the other in
gun factory is to be at Washington.
The Senate resumed consideration of the
Fades Tehauntepec bill. and Morgan contin-
ued his speech in support of it.
de said the time was as ripe, perhaps, now
as it ever would be for a declaration of
firm American policy as to this great Med
iterranean to the south of the United States.
He intended to offer an amendment to the
bill expressly reserving to the United States
full and unqualified rights and privileges in
any railroad canal across IL ethmus Of TIE,
hauntepec which were secured to the United
States by article s of the Gadsden treaty of
1853. One of the objections to the bill was
that he regarded the rates of toll fixed in
concession as too high.
At the close of Morgan's speech at 450
o'clock the Senate, on motion of Mr.. Cam
eron, went into secret session. At 5.45
o'clock the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Under the call of States, bills etc. were in
troduced and referred as follows:
By Morrow, of California, to increase the
naval establishment and to protect the har-
Dors of New York and San Francisco. 1t
appropriates 81 1,000,000 for the construction
Of two steel rams after marine ram recon-
mended by Rear Admiral Ammen, to have
speed of at least 10 knots an hour.
By Mr.. Henderson, a resolution maxi
ing the Senate bill granting a pension to
Mrs Logan, a special order for Tuesday,
Feb. 10. This resolution was laid over for
one day.
By Mr.. Hanback,, of Kansas, for the erec-
tion of home for widows and children of
deceased soldiers.
By Mr.. Reed, for Mr.. Dingley to protect
the fisheries of the United States. The fol-
lowing is the text of the bill:
Section L. ANY vessel of foreign nationality or
ownership within the meaning of the term vessel
as defined in section 3, ReysedsStatues, found ens
gagged in the taking of fish of any kind within
three marine miles of any of the marine coasts,
bays, creeks or harbors Of the United States. or
within the lake or river waters of the United
States, shall be liable to seizure and forfeiture
and to proceedings to enforce said forfeiture.
And any person employed in or with such vessel
found taking fish of any kind in such waters shall
be liable to fine of $50 for every such offence,
and said penalty shall be lien upon the vessel in
connection with which such person is employed,
to recover which penalty such vessel shall be
subject to libel.
Section 2. The penalties and forfeitures herein
described may be remitted or mitigated by the
Secretary of the Treasury when incurred without
wiful disregard of law under such regulations
and modes of ascertaining the facts as may seem
to him advisable.